Renaissance_Man

I for one lament the demise of the Mutazilah school of thought in Sunni Islam. The Asharite victory led to the anti-intellectual tendencies that we see in Sunni Islam today. By closing the door of reasoning, it led to the birth of the extremist movements in Sunnism like the Wahabbis/Salafis. The Mutazilah were closer to the Shia in many aspects of religion and had they prevailed, there would be lesser divide between Sunnis and Shias and Muslims overall would be better off.

(bismillah)

(salam)

Jazakallah khayr for the link, Bro. shabbirn. :) Excellent tafsir.

(bismillah)

(salam)

Notice how Christian missionaries target countries with mainly poor, uneducated people. They will never go to a college or university to preach where I believe there are more souls that need saving. That's because an independent and intellectual person will never accept the Christian doctrine. It's only the poor and ignorant that fall prey to the missionaries. An ignorant mind is like a blank sheet, one can draw on it whatever he wants. These people who are often starving will gladly accept whatever you give them in exchange for food, and that's why the Christian missionary approach them with a plate of food in one hand and a Bible in the other.

Most of the posters have already hit on the main reasons for the regression of Muslims - imperialism, exploitation, lack of education, etc.  so I won't rehash those points.
 
Apart from all this, it's ultimately the attitude of Muslims that doomed them and continues to even today.  Someone earlier mentioned the tendency of Muslims to learn to live with their problems instead of trying to solve them like the West.  There is some truth to this and the concept of kismet/fate that many Muslims believe in is root cause of this problem.  Islam's prosperity in its early days began to diminish once Muslims adopted the attitude that whatever befell them, good or bad, was Allah's (SWT) doing and there was no point in seeking out their own destiny.  If for example an oppressive ruler came to power this was deemed to be Allah's will.  With this defeatest attitude, it's no wonder that Muslims learned to put up with all the problems they've faced for centuries.

Gotta love desis and their obsession with light skin. I've seen plenty of dark skinned Rizvi sayyids from Pakistan and India and dark sayyids in general. And yes, they were the "pure" najibut turfains.
Hard to say. Arabs come in all shapes and colors, from European looking to African. My guess is its somewhere in the middle: middle-eastern features with tan skin. That's how I've heard the Prophet (pbuh) described as.

There is a real danger in putting infants in front of the TV. Their brains are not developed enough to process the sensory images and a recent study that shows that for this reason children who watch a lot of TV before the age of 3 are more prone to developing autism.

(bismillah)

(salam)

Possible, but I'm sure people had thought about that a long time ago. Pascal was an enemy of Islam though, so I doubt he had ever studied the works of Muslim scholars let alone Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (as).

Christian scholars in the latter part of the middle ages borrowed a lot from from Islam. Thomas Aquinas' theology came from the Mutazilites who in turn were influenced by Ahl al-Bayt (as).

Salaam

I found this list on a Jewish website.  According to kosher dietary rules, Jews can only eat those fish with both fins and scales similar to what the shariah says about eating fish with scales.  

Please doublecheck though just to make sure because it might not be 100% correct.

From http://www.kashrus.org/kosher/kosher_fish.html :

KOSHER FISH

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Albacore See: Mackerels Alewife See: Herrings
Amberjack See: Jacks
Anchovies (Family Engraulidae). Including: European anchovy (Engraulis i encrasciolus), North of California anchovv (En¢raulis mordax4.
Angelfishes and butterfly fishes (Family Chaetodontidae). Including: Angelfishes (Holacanthus species, Pomacanthus species).
Atlantic Pomfret or Ray's Bream (Brama brama)
Ballyhoo See: Flyingfishes
Barracudas (Family Sphyraenidae) Including: Barracudas and kakus (Sphyraena species).
Bass , Sea Basses. Temperate basses, Sunfishes, Drums
Bigeyes (Family Priacanthidae). Including: Bigeyes or aweoweos (Priacanthus species).
Blackfish See: Carps, Wrasses
Blacksmith See: Damselfishes
Blueback See: Flounders, Herrings, Trouts
Bluefish or snapper blue (Pomatomus saltarix)
Bluegill See: Sunfishes
Bocaccio See: Scorpionfishes
Bombay duck (Harpadeon nehereus)
Bonefish (Albula vulpes)
Bonito See: Cobia, Mackerels
Bowfin Freshwater dogfish, or grindle (Amia calva)
Bream See: Carps, Atlantic pomfret, Porgies
Brill See: Flounder
Buffalo fishes See: Suckers
Burbot See: Codfishes
ButterFishes (Family Stromateidae), Including: Butterfish (Peprilus tracanthus); Pacific pompano (Peprilus similimus); harvestfishes (Peprilus species)
Butterfly fish See: angelfish
Cabrilla See: Sea Basses
Calico bass See: Sunfishes
Capelin See: Smelts
Carps and minnows (Family Cyprinidae), Including: the carp, leather carp, mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio); Crucian carp (Carassius carassius); Goldfish (Carassius auratus); tench (Tinca tinca); Splittail (Pogonichthys macrolepidotus); Squawfishes (Ptychocheilus species); Scramento backfish or hardhead (Orthodon microlepidotus); Freshwater breams (Abramis species, Blicca species); Roach (Rutilus rutilus).
Carosucker See: Suckers
Caviar (Must be from a kosher fish) See: Trouts and whitefishes (salmon), Lumpsuckers (non kosher), Sturgeons (non kosher).
Cero See: Mackerels
Channel bass See: Drums Char See: Trouts
Chilipepper See: Scorpionfishes
Chinook salmon See: Trouts
Chup See: Trouts, Sea chubs Cichlids (Family Chichilidae), Including: Tilapias (Tilapia species); Mozambique mouthbrooder (Tilapia mossambica); Cichlios (Cichlasoma species); Rio Grande perch (Cichlasoma cyanoguttatum)
Cigarfish See: Jacks
Cisco See: Trouts
Coalfish See: Codfishes
Cobia, cabio, or black bonito (Rachycentron canadum) Cod, cultus, black, blue, or ling. See: Greenlings, Sablefish
Codfishes (Family Gadidae), Including: Cod (Gadus morhua), Haddock (Melanogrammus aegiefinus); Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus); Pollock, saithe, or coalfish (Pollachius virens); Walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma); Hakes (Urophycis species); Whiting (Meriangiu meriangus); Blue whiting or poutassou (Micromesistius poutassou); Burbot, lawyer, or freshwater ling (lota lota); Tomcods or frostfishes (Microgradus species).
Coho salmon See: Trouts
Corbina or Corvina, See: Drums
Cottonwick See: Grunts
[Edited Out]plie See: Sunfishes
Creville See: Jacks
Croacker See: Drums
Crucian carp See: Carps
Cubbyu See: Drums
Cunner See: Wrasses Dab See: Flounders
Damselfishes (Family Pomacentridae). Including: Blacksmith (Chromis punctipinnis); Garibaldi (Hypsypops rubicunda).
Doctorfish See: Surgeonfishes
Dolly Varden See: Trouts
Dolphin fishes or mahimahis (Coryphaena species) Not to be confused with the Mammal called Dolphin or Porpoise, which is non kosher.
Drums and croakers (Family Sciaenidae), Including: Seatrouts and carvinas (Cynoscion species); Weakfish (Cynoscion nebulosus); White seabass (Cynoscion nobillis); Croakers (micropogon species, Bairdiella species, Odontoscion species); Silver perch (Bairdiella chyrsura); White or King croaker (Genyonemus lineatus); Black croaker (cheilottena saturnum); Spotfin croaker (Roncadorstearnsi); Yellowfin croaker(Umbrinaroncador); Drums (Pogonias species, Stellifer species, Umbrina species); Red drum or channel bass (Sciaenops ocallata); Freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens); Kingfishes or king whitings (Menticirrhus species); California corbina (Menticirrhus undulatus); spot or lafayette (Leiostomus xanthurus); Queenfish (Seriphus politus); Cubbyu or ribbon fish (Equetus umbrosus).
Eulachon See: Smelts
Flounders (Families Bothidae and Pleuronectidae). Including: Flounders (Paralichthys species, Liopsetta species, Platichthys species,etc.); Starry flounder (Platichthys stellatus); Summer flounder or fluke (Paralichthys denatus); Yellowtail flounder (limanda ferrugina); Winter flounder, lemon sole or blackback (Pseudopleuronectes americanus); Halibuts (Hippoglossus species); California halibut (Paralichthys Californicus); Bigmouth sole (Hippoglossina stomata); Butter of scalyfin sole (Isopsetta isolepis); "Dover" sole (Microstomus pacificus); "English" sole (Parophrys vetulus); Fantail sole (Xystreurys liolepis); Petrale sole (Eopsetta jordan); Rex sole (Glyptocephalus zichirus); Rock sole (Lepidopsetta bilineata); Sand Sole (Psettichthys melanostictus); Slender sole (Lyopsetta exillis); Yellowfin sole (Limanda aspera); Pacific turbots (Pleuronichthys species); Curlfin turbot or sole (Pleuronichthys decurrens); Diamond turbot (Hypsopsetta guttulata); Greenland turbot or halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides); Sanddabs (Citharichthys species); Dabs (Limanda species); American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides); European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa); Brill (scophthalmus rhomus). But not including: European turbot (Scophthalmus maximus or Psetta maximus).
Fluke See: Flounders
Flyingfishes and halfbeaks (Family Exocoetidae); Flyingfishes (Cypselurus species, and others); Ballyhoo or balao (Hemiramphus species).
Frostfish See: Codfishes
Gag See: Sea basses
Garibaldi See: Damselfishes
Giant kelpfish (Heterostichus rostratus)
Gizzard shad See: Herrings
Goatfishes or surmullets (Family Mullidae). Including: Goatfishes (Mullus species, Pseudupeneus species); Wekes or goatfishes (Mulloidichthys species, Upeneus species); Kumu (Parupeneus species); Red mullet (Mullus surmuletus).
Gobies (Family Gobidae), Including: Bigmouth sleeper or guavina (Gobiomorus dormitor); Sirajo goby (sicydium plumieri)
Goldeye and mooneye (Hiodon alosoides and Hiodon tergisus).
Goldfish See: Carps
Grayling See: Trouts
Graysby: See: Sea basses
Greenlings (Family Hexagrammidae), Including: Greenlings (Hexagrammos species); Kelp greenling or seatrout (Hexagrammos decagrammus); Lingcod, cultus orblue cod (Ophiodonelongatus); Atkamackerel (Pleurogrammus monopterygius).
Grindle See: BowEin
Grouper See: Sea basses
Grunion See: Silversides
Grunts (Family Pomadasyldae), Including; Grunts (Haemulon species, Pomadasys species); Margate (Haemulon album); Tomtate (Haemulon aurolineattum); Cottonwick (Haemulon melanurum); Sailors choice (Haemulon parral); Porkfish (Anisotremus virginicus); Black margate (Anisotremus surinamensis); Sargo (Anisotremus davidsoni); Pigfish (Orthopristis chrysoptera).
Guavina See: Gobies
Haddock See: Codfishes
Hake See also Codfishes
Hakes (Family Meriucciidae), Including: Hakes (Merluccius species); Silver hake or whiting (Meriuccius bilinearis); Pacific hake or meriuccio (Meriuccius productus)
Halfbeak See: Flying fish
Halfmoon See: Sea chubs
Halibut See: Flounders
Hamlet See: Sea basses
Hardhead See: Carps
Harvestfish See: Butterfishes
Hawkfishes (Family Cirrhitidae). Including: Hawkfishes (Cirrhitus species).
Herrings (Family Clupeidae), Including: Atlantic and Pacific herring (Clupae harengus subspecies); thread herrings (Opisthonema species); Shads (Alosa species); Shad or glut herring, or blueback (Alosa aestivalis); Hickory shad (Alosa mediocris); Alewife or river herring (Alosa pseudoharengus); Gizzard shads (Dorosoma species); Menhadens or mossbunkers (Brevoortia species); Spanish sardines (Sardineila anchovia); European sardine or pilchard (Sardina pilchardus); Pacific sardine or pilchard (Sardinops sagax); Spart (Sprattus sprattus)
Hind See: Sea bass
Hogchocker See: Soles
Hogfish See: Wrasses
Horse mackerel See: Jacks
Jack Mankerel See: Jacks
Jacks and Pompanos (Family Charangidae) Including: Pompanos, palometas, and permits (Trachionotus species); Amberjacks and yellowtails (Seriola species); California yellowtail (Seriola dorsalls); Scads and cigarfish (Decapterus species, Selar species, Trachurus species); Jack mackerel or horse mackerel (Trachurus symmetricus); Jacks and uluas (Caranx species, Carangoides species); Crevalles (Caranx species); Blue runner (Caranx crysos); Rainbow runner (Elagatis bipinnulata); Moonfishes (Vomer species); Lookdown (Selene vomer); Leatherback or lae (Scomberoides sanctipetri); BUT NOT INCLUDING: Leatherjacket (Oligoplites saurus).
Jacksmelt See: Silversides
Jewfish See: Sea basses.
John Dory (Zeus faber)
KelpSish See: Giant Kelpfish
Kingfish See: Drums, mackerels Ladyfish, or tenpounder (Elops saurus)
Lafayette See: Drums
Lake Herring See: Trouts
Lance or Launce See: Sand lances
Largemouth bass See: Sunfishes
Lawyer See: Codfishes
Leatherback See: Jacks
Lingcod See: Greenlings
Lizardfishes (Family Synodontidae)
Lookdown See: Jacks
Mackerel See also: Jacks
Mackerels, Atka See: Greenlings
Mackerels and tunas (Family Scombridae), Including: Mackerels (Scomber species, Scomberomorus species, Auxis species); Spanish mackerels, cero, and sierra (Scomberomorus species); King mackerel or kingfish (Scomberomorus cavalla); Bonitos (Sarda species); Wahoo (Acanthocybius solanderi); tunas (Thunnus species, Euthynnus species); Skipjack tunas (Euthynnus or Katsuwonus species); Albacore (thunnus alalunga) But not including: Snake mackerels
Mahimahi See: Dolphin fishes
Margate See: Grunts
Menhaden See: Herrings
Menpachii See: Squirrelfishes
Merluccio See: Hakes
Milkfish or awa (Chanos chanos)
Mojarras (Family Gerreidae) including: Mojarras (Eucinostomus species, Gerres species, Diapterus species) Monkeyface [Edited Out]leback or eel (Cebidichthys violaceus)
Mooneye See: Goldeye Moonfsh See: Jacks
Mossbunker See: Herrings
Mouthbrooder See: Cichlids
Mullet See: Goatfishes
Mullets (Farnily Mugilidae) including: Mullets and amaamas (Mugil species); Uouoa (Neomyxus chaptallii); Mountain mullets or dajaos (agonostomus species)
Muskellunge See: Pikes
Mutton hamlet See: Sea basses
Muttonfish See: Snappers
Needlefishes (Family Beslonidae) Needlefishes or marine gars (strongylura species, Tylosuru species)
Opaleye See: Sea clubs
Palometa See: Jacks
Parrotfishs (Family Scaridae) including: Parrotfishes and uhus (Scarus species, Slparisoma species)
Perch See also: Temperate basses, Drums, Cichlids, Surfperches, Scorpionfishes
Perches (Family Percidae) including: Yellow perch (Perca flavescens); Walleye, pike perch, or yellow or blue pike (Stizostedion vitreum); Sauget (Stizostedion canadense)
Permit See: Jacks
Pickerel See: Pike
Pigfish See: Grunts Pike See also: Perches
Pikes (Family Esocidae) including; Pike (esox lucius); Pickerels (Esox species); Muskellunge (esox masquinongy)
Pikeperch See: Perches
Pilchard See Herrings
Pinfish See: Porgies
Plaice See: Flounders
Pollock. See: Codfishes
Pomfret. See: Atlantic pomfret
Pompano See: Jack, Butterfishes
Porgies and sea breams (Family Sparidae). Including: Porgies (Calamus species, Diplodus species, Pagrus species); Scup (Stenotomus chrysops); Pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides); Sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus)
Porkfish See: Gruntts
Poutassou See: Codfishes
[Edited Out]leback See: Monkeyface [Edited Out]leback, Rock[Edited Out]leback (non kosher).
Queenfish See: Drums
Quillback See: Suckers
Rabalo See: Snooks
Ray's bream See: Atlantic pomfret
Red snapper See: Snappers Redfish See: Scorpionfishes, Wrasses
Roach See: Carps Rock bass See: Sunfishes
Rockhind See: Sea basses
Rockfish See: Scorpionfishes. Temperate basses
Rosefish See: Scorpionfishes
Rudderfish See: Sea chubs
Runner See: Jack
Sablefish or black cod (Anoplopoma fimbria)
Sailors choice See: Grunts Saithe See: Codfishes
Salmon See: Trouts
Sand lances, launces, or eels (Ammodytes species)
Sardine See: Herrings
Sargo See: Grunts
Sauger See: Perches
Scad See: Jacks
Scamp See: Sea basses
Schoolmaster See: Snappers
Scorpionfishes (family Scorpaenidae), Including: Scorpionfishes (Scorpaena species); California scorpionfish or sculpin (Scorpaena guttata); Nohus (Scorpaenopsis species); Redfish, rosefish, or ocean perch (Sebasters marinus); rockfishes (Sebasters species, Sebastodes species); Pacific ocean perch (Sebastes alutus); Chilipepper (Sebastes goodel); Bocaccio (Sebastes paucipinus); Shortspine thornyhead or channel rockfish (Sebastolobus alascanus)
Scup See: Porgies
Sea bass See also: Temperate basses, drums, Sea basses (Family Serranidae) including: Black sea basses (Centropristis species); Groupers (Epinephelus species, and Mycteroperca species); Rockhind (Epinephelus adscensionis); Speckled hind (Epinephelus drummondhayi); Red hind (Epinephelus guttatus); Jewfish (Epinephelus itajara); Spotted cabrilla (Epinephelus analogus); Gag (Mycteroperca microlepis); Scamp (Mycteroperca phenax); Graysby (petrometopon cruentatum); Mutton hamlet (Alphestes afer) Sand bass, kelp bass, and spotted bass (Paralabrax species)
Sea bream See: Porgies
Sea chubs (Family Kyphosidae) including: Bermuda chug or rudderfish (Kyphosus sectatrix); Opaleye (Girella nigrican); Halfmoon (Medialuna californiensis)
Seaperch See: Surfperches
Searobins (Family Triglidae); Searobins (Prionotus species)
Seatrout See: Drums, Greenlings, Steelhead
Shad See: Herrings
Sheepshead See: Porgies, Wrasses Sierra See: Mackerels
Silversides (Family Athernidae) including: Whitebait, spearing, or silversides (Menidia species); California grunion (Leurusthes tenuis); Jacksmelt (Atherinopsis californiensis); Topsmelt (Atherinops affinis)
Sirajo goby See: Gobies
Skipjack See Mackerels
Sleeper See Gobies
Smallmouth bass See Sunfishes
Smelts (Family Osmeridae) including: Smelts (Osmerus species); Capelin (Malotus villosus); Eullachon (Thaleichthys pacificus)
Snapper blue See: Bluefish
Snappers (Family Lutjanidae) including: Snappers (Lutjanus species); Schoolmaster (Lutjanus apodus); Muttonfish or mutton snapper (Lutjanus analis); Red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus); Yellowtail snapper (Ocyurus chrysurus); Kalikali (Pristipomoides sieboldi); Opakapaka (Pristipomoides microlepis); Onaga (Etelis carbunculus)
Snooks (Family Centropomidae) including: Snooks orrabalos (Centropomus species)
Sockeye salmon See: Trouts
Sole See also: Flounders
Soles (Family Soleidae), Including: Sole or true sole (solea solea); Lined sole (Achirus lineatus); Hogchoker (Trinectes maculatus).
Spadefishes (Family Ephippidae). Including: Spadefishes (Chaetodipterus species)
Spanish mackerel See: Mackerels
Spearing See: Silversides
Splitttail See: Carps
Spot See: Drums
Sprat See: Herrings
Squawfish See: Carp
Squirrelfishes (Family Holocentridae), Including: Squirrelfishes (Holocentrus species); Menpachii (Myripristis species).
Steelhead See: Trouts
Striped bass See: Temperate basses
Suckers (Family Catostomidae). Including: Buffalo fishes (Ictiobus species); Suckers (Catostomus species, Moxostoma species); Quillbacks or carpsuckers (Carpiodes species)
Sunfishes (Family Centrarchidae). Including: Freshwater basses (Micropterus species); Largemouth bass (Microterus salmoides); Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui); Sunfishes (Lepomis species); Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus); Warmouth (Lepomis macrochirus); Rock bass or red eye (Ambloplites rupestris); [Edited Out]pies or calico basses (Pomoxis species)
Surfperches (Famly Embiotocidae). Including: Surfperches (Amphistichus species, Hyperprosopon species); Seaperches (Embiotoca species, Hypsurus species, Phanerodon species, Rhacochilus species); Blackperth (Embiotoca jacksoni); Pile perch (Rhacochilus vacca); Shiner perch (Cymatogaster aggregata).
Surgeonfishes (Family Acanthuridae). Including: Surgeonfishes and tangs (Acanthurus species, Zebrasoma species); Doctorfish (Acanthurus chirugus); Unicornfishes or kalas (Naso species).
Tang See: Surgeonfishes
Tarpon (Megalops atlantica)
Tautog See: Wrasses
Temperate basses (Family Percichthyidae). Including: Striped bass or rockfish (morone saxatillis); Yellow bass (Morone mississippiensis); White bass (Morojne chrysops); White perch (Morone americana); Giant California sea bass (Stereolepis gigas)
Tench See: Carps
Tenpounder See Ladyfish
Threadfins (Family polynemidae) including: Blue bobo (Polydactylus approximans); Barbu (Polydactylus virginicus); Moi (Polydactylus sexfilis)
Tilapia See: Cichlids
Tilefishes (Family Branchiostegidae) including: tilefish (Logholatilus chamaeleonticeps) Ocean whitefish (Caulolatilus princeps)
Tomcod See: Codfishes
Tomtate See: Grunts
Tomsmelt See: Silversides
Tripletail (Lobotes surinamensis) Trouts and whitefishes (Family Salmonidae) including: Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar); Pacific salmons (Oncorhtnchus species); Coho or silver salmon; sockeye, blueback or red salmon; chinook, king or spring salmon; pink or humpback salmon; chum, dog or fall salmon, Trouts (Salmo species) Brown trout, rainbow trout or steelhead, cutthroat trout, golden trout, Chars (Salvelinus species); Lake trout, brook rout, Arctic char, Dolly Varden, Whitefishes and ciscos (coregonus species and Prosopium species); Cisco or lake herring (Corengonus artedii); chubs (coregonus species); graylings (thymallus Species)
Tuna See: Mackerels
Turbot See Flounder (some non kosher)
Unicornfish See: Surgeonfishes
Wahoo See: Mackerels
Walleye See: Perches
Walleye pollock See: Codfishes
Warmouth See: Sunfishes
Weakfishes See: Drums
WhiteFish See: Trouts, Tilefishes
Whiting See: Codfishes, Hakes, Drums
Wrasses (Family Labridae) including: Hogfishes and aawas (Bodianus species); Hogfish or capitaine (Lachnolaimus maximus); Tautog or blackfish (Tautoga onitis); California sheephead or redfish (Pimelometopon pulchrum); Cunner, chogset, or bergall (Tautogolabrus adspersus)
Yellowtail See: Jacks
Yellowtail snapper See Snappers

^
Sure, but it would be the same as paying zakat on currency.  As long as both zakat and khums are being collected, it will bring parity to alms distribution.  Given that the banking system across the word uses paper money and won't be returning to gold & silver anytime soon, it would be easier to make zakat on currency wajib.
The late Ayatullah Fadlullah was the only marja who recognized this and ruled zakat payable on all forms of money.  Hopefully with time, other scholars will do the same and bring the Islamic taxation rules up to date.

Salaams,
This is something that's been on my mind recently and I'd like to hear what others have to say about it.  As Shias, we are required to pay 20% khums on our annual income after expenses. A sizeable amount compared other other Islamic taxes.  Of that, half goes towards supporting the religious centers of learning, building mosques, and other charitable causes.  The other half goes to needy sayyids.  At the same time, we are not obligated to pay zakat on our income per the rulings of most scholars today.  Zakat as most of you know is on certain non-monetary things like cattle, sheep, gold, and silver.  Khums on the other hand is on all forms of wealth and income.  So say a person makes $100000/year and manages to save $40000 of it.  He would then owe $8000 in khums but no zakat is due.
This strikes me as being somewhat unbalanced.  We effectively pay 10% of our income to needy sayyids, but what about the needy amongst non-sayyids?  Considering that they aren't even receiving the 2.5% zakat that was intended for the poor at large, if we only paid wajib alms, technically they would receive next to nothing.  It seems the amount we're required to give in charity to sayyids is disproportionally larger than what's doled out to non-sayyids especially when there are a lot more of them.  I know some people will point to sadaqa and other charity that non-sayyids receive but sayyids can also receive mustahib alms so that's really a moot point.  Besides, mustahib charity is just that and a person isn't obligated to give it.
Another question might be raised here, do the needy amongst the sayyids even need half of the khums?  When I think about it, 20% of the wealth of the entire ummah is a HUGE sum of money.  Certainly there is a share in it that belongs to the sayyids, but you will very likely wind up with a large surplus.  It's interesting that even the late Imam Khomeini wondered the same thing in his book Hukumati Islamia:
Now before anyone accuses me of being anti-sayyid or anti-khums (I'm neither and duly pay my share every year) - I understand the reason why khums was instituted in the first place.  The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) established zakat (required) sadawa, kharaj, and jizaya for the poor and didn't take a single dirham for him and his family.  This was to avoid accusations of conflict of interest.  So Allah ÓÈÍÇäå æÊÚÇáì instituted khums to provide a share for the needy amongst the Prophet's descendants.  Back then it made sense because zakat and other charity were actively collected from all Muslims and along with khums, this provided a means existed to aid all needy Muslims.  But today it appears that with zakat becoming all but obsolete, perhaps the maraje need to reexamine the laws of zakat and khums to ensure that charity is distributed equally and equitably to all needy momins.
Thoughts?

(bismillah)

(salam)

From http://www.akhbari.org/differences.htm :

11. The prophet and 13 infallibles are equal and same in all and every aspect

13. Subtractions and alterations were made in Holy Quran.

14. Gaining knowledge about divinity (Marefate Noorania) of Prophet Mohammed (S.A) and His Progeny (A.S). Is compulsory

17. Salvation is only through deep love and affection for Imam Ali (A.S) and through gaining knowledge of his divinity. (Practices (aamal) are intensively demanded).

I read the samples on the website and personally, I still prefer M.H. Shakir's translation. No translation ever comes close to the real thing but I find Shakir's the most moving.

But can you see how hadith like these can plant doubts in people's minds about the genuineness of the Quran we have today? Anti-Islamicsts too can use this to criticize Islam.

I highly doubt that. Bernie is more determined now than ever given his surging popularity.  If anything, it's Trump who is running to win not to become President.  
Hillary is a bought and paid for Wall Street and AIPAC puppet while the other Republican candidates are itching to start WW3.  Bernie is the only sane option.
 

Trump's foreign policy is blanket xenophobia and he changes his positions so frequently you can't be sure what's going to do.  Yes he's criticized Saudi Arabia and wants to limit US involvement in the Middle East so in that sense he's better than Hillary who's BFFs with Israel and Arab dictators, but again there's no assurance there because he's so unpredictable.
 

I doubt Buddha was a prophet.  That's because there is no concept of god in Buddhism, a core tenant of Islam, and in fact Buddha himself believed in many gods.  Other Buddhist beliefs like reincarnation are foreign to Islam.

17 hour fasts can admittedly be pretty brutal sometimes.  But let's put it into perspective.  A 12 hour fast in the scorching Arabian desert a millennia ago was no walk in the park either.  
We only have to do it for a month.  For many impoverished people around the world, that's a way of life.  The point of fasting in Ramadan is to feel the pain of our brethren and develop some empathy.  

^^
I flipped through that book and it looks dubious.  The author seems to be an akhbari who rails against a number of Shia practices like  khums, ijtehad, and taqlid.
That hadith is either misquoted or not sahih, because it's well known that khums was collected by the Imam's (عليه السلام) deputies during the Minor Occultation.  Furthermore that book also claims Imam Muhammad Baqir (عليه السلام) waived khums for the Shias, which contradicts other hadith from him stating the contrary as well as the later Imams (عليه السلام) who upheld the institution of khums and collected it from their followers.

Thank you for sharing this translation brother.  We repeatedly reciting this during Eid prayer today and I was wondering what the meaning of the dua was.

Less nehari, more cardio.

A more objective response to this question from al-Islam.org:  
 
http://www.al-islam.org/organizations/AalimNetwork/msg00054.html
Question

What is the ulama's view on "Wahdat-e Wujood"? Is it considered to be
"Kofr"? Are the believers in this concept "kafir"? I specially like to know
about Imam's ruling.

........................................................................

Answer

As to the issue of Wahdat-e-Wujood. Let me first tell you that there
is no consensus among Ulama on this question. It is perhaps the most
controversial issue among Muslim theologians and philosophers. Therefore
you should not expect it to be resolved in these few lines.

Since this issue belongs to the realm of I'ateghadat one cannot look for
Fatwa in this area. It is an obligation of each Muslim to understand what is
meant by Tawhid in Islam, for it is the bedrock of Islamic faith. But for you to
know where I am coming from let me say that I am convinced that without
believing in Wahdat-e-Wujood, Tawhid does not make sense. Be advised that Allah
is Ahad and his Ahadiyat as Masumin's (A) traditions explain is not a numerical
one. In other words he is not one as opposed to two for in that case he would be
in Arz (parallel to) of others. But if you note in the Holy Quran 58:7 Allah
(SWT) is mentioned as the fourth of the three, the sixth of the fifth and so on,
not the fourth of the four or sixth of the six.

Here are two major schools of thought with regard to Wahdat-e-Wujood, one
philosophical and one mystical. The philosophical school is mainly
associated with Mulla Sadra and the mystical with Ibn Arabi. The problem of the
One and the Many has always been at the heart of metaphysical thinking even
today those who could solve this problem have preferred to move into what they
call post metaphysical thinking which does not bother with this question. Even
political thought today is preoccupied with this problem, minorities' >rights,
diversity, multi-culturalism, marginalized and localized voices all are terms
used to discuss the problem of One and Many.

Mulla Sadra formulated a notion of Wahdat which has room of Kathrat (Many)
in Wahdat (One). He considered Wojood to be Tashkiki or Zu Marateb (of
different degrees and level). These levels all are Wujood and not non-Wujood but
at the same time their differences are real. He used analogy of light. A
candle's light is light and light of the Sun is also light and between them
infinite degrees of light. Each degree is distinct from others and at same
time one identity.

Ibn Arabi on the other hands formulated the theory of Wahdat Shakhsi-e-Wujood
(personal unity of Being). For him distinction in Being is meaningless and
arbitrary, there is no real distinction. The only distinction is the distinction
of Muhat and Muhit (no proper translation, literally means the circumscribed
one, and the circumscribing one). Both of these formulation have come under
sharp criticisms and attack from more traditional views. Certainly there are
many who believe this is Kufr. Mulla Sadra's view is these days receiving more
acceptance among traditionalists due to contributions of Imam Khomeini (ra),
Allameh Tabatabai (ra) and their students to understanding of his position. But
Ibn Arabi's view is still considered to be radical in contrast to Islam.

Since you wanted to know Imam Khomeini's opinion on this issue I should know
that he was a firm admirer of Ibn Arabi and his letter to Mikhail Gorbachov,
Russian president he referred to Ibn Arabi as "Abar Mard" (the greatest
man). Allameh Tabatabai was also Ibn Arabi's admirer he is said to have said
that "all writings on Islam are not worth of two sentences of Ibn Arabi's works
on Islam".

Of course as I said he has his own critics and without a serious and
systematic study of his idea under specialist scholars of his school of
thought, understanding his theory is impossible.

I strongly believe that the exploration of the question of the One and Many
from an Islamic perspective in lights of the idea of Wahdat-e-Wujood could
be a major contribution to the politics of Islam and human right in Islam. I
hope this is useful but if one does not have independent study of the issue,
this might seem confusing. In that case just ignore what I have said.

With regards,

Mohammad

(bismillah)

(salam)

http://www.al-islam.org/organizations/Aali...k/msg00771.html

Assalamu 'alaykum

The following question was answered by Mulla Asgher

Salaams & Duas
Ummulbanin Merali - Moderator - 'Aalim Network
****************************************************************************
***

QUESTION:

Does Imam Mahdi have any children? He is sometimes reffered as Abu
Salah,correct?

ANSWER:

There are certain riwayat (narrations) which indicate that our 12th Imam
(A.S.) has a family and children. He is known as Abu Swalah on the grounds
that his eldest son bears that name.


Asgherali M M Jaffer

http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/09/homosexuality-lgbt-iraq-iran-muqtada-sadr.html
 
BAGHDAD – Human Rights Watch (HRW) has praised Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr for publicly advocating a humanitarian stance toward the LGBT community, saying they should not be subjected to violence. Last month, Joe Stork, HRW's deputy Middle East director, said, “His statement represents an important change in the right direction and should be followed by concrete actions to protect LGBT people from violence.”

 
In a rare, unexpected statement on July 7 about the LGBT community, the leader of the Sadrist movement declared, “[You] must disassociate from them and provide them advice [but] not attack them.” His comment was in response to a letter by a Sadrist supporter who complained about men “acting like women” and “suspicious relations between people of the same gender,” referring to homosexual relationships.
HRW has documented “serious abuses” by various Iraqi groups, including Sadrists, against LGBT people, who have become a social community in the country. The human rights organization said, “We hope this [new stance by Sadr] will change behavior in successors to the Mahdi Army and other ranks and spur the government to hold accountable those who commit these crimes.”
The issue has grabbed the attention of Iraqi and Arab media. Sadr’s statement has generated controversy because it contrasts with the positions of other clerics and religious institutions, namely, other Shiite scholars in Iraq as well as in Iran. While clerics in both states preach that Islam forbids homosexuality, the difference lies in the way to address it.
Sheikh Hussein al-Hashan, a Lebanese Islamic scholar, said in a paper published in the electronic magazine Bayynat, “Forbidding homosexuality in Islamic law is unquestionable as stipulated in many Quranic verses.” Instead of dealing with homosexual behavior as a punishable offense, however, Hashan believes it should be approached as a treatable mental and physical issue. “Treating” people for homosexuality is a common perspective in Islam, but one challenged by the medical community, which considers sexuality an innate characteristic, not a condition in need of being “cured.”
In Iraq and Lebanon punishment for homosexuality is not stipulated by the law. The situation in Iran, however, is different. Iran's Sharia-based constitution holds homosexuality to be a crime punishable by death. Lesbians, however, can be punished with 100 lashes under Iranian law.
Commenting on the reasons behind the differing attitudes toward punishment between Iraq and Iran although both countries follow Twelver Shiism, Najaf Hussein al-Khoshaimi, a cleric and Islamic scholar, told Al-Monitor, “The judicial system in Iran is based on the velayet-e faqih [guardianship of jurists], by which Sharia is incorporated into the state. In [Iraq], however, the rules of Islam are separate from the democratic system.” In short, he explained, the two approach Shiite principles on the implementation of Islamic punishments from different perspectives. In Iraqi Shiite thought, Islamic punishments cannot be meted out until the 12th imam returns to create an Islamic state.
Although homosexuals in Iran face harsh conditions and punishment, the first supreme leader of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, left a door open for transsexuals by issuing a fatwa in 1986 allowing sex reassignment surgeries. In fact, such procedures are subsidized by the state.
Ali Murad, a political analyst, told Al-Monitor, “Clerics in Iraq are the most prominent and influential players in opinion making, influencing and orienting opinions. They have the moral right to interfere in all of the state's affairs and the smallest details of the people’s social life.”
The political author and analyst Hamza Genahee agreed, telling Al-Monitor, “Clerics have a role in Iraqi political and social life.” He added, however, “The religious authority in Najaf only interferes to regulate social affairs, and many of its fatwas are mere responses and answers to the people’s questions.”
Religiosity is widespread in Iraq, which has contributed to a social culture that requires people to essentially abide by the teachings of Islam. Thus wearing the hijab, for example, has become widespread, and other signs of religious commitment are visible everywhere. This in part stems from the efforts of Islamic preachers.
Such influence is perhaps why in June the Najaf police reportedly arrested two gay men celebrating their informal marriage. The men defended themselves by pointing to an unidentified fatwa to claim that their marriage did not contradict Sharia.
Mithal al-Alusi of the Civil Democratic Alliance told Al-Monitor, “Muqtada al-Sadr's position is in line with the stance of most Iraqis rejecting all forms of violence, be it against homosexuals or others,” calling Sadr's position a “message of tolerance.” Hassan Kallabi, a social researcher and health worker at the Hamza al-Gharbi Hospital, in part views the situation similarly. According to him, “The majority in Iraq renounces homosexuality but does not support violence against homosexuals.”

 
 
 

Ayatullah Seestani is a good default marja. Everyone recognizes his ijtehad and since his materials are pretty widespread, people tend to find him the most accessible.
What I find interesting about Seestani is people say he is the most knowledgable however there isn't much out there for us to make this determinatin for ourselves. You can get a gist of what's someone's thoughts and ideas are like from their books but in Ayatullah Seestani's I haven't seen much else written by him besides fiqh books...at least in English that is. Ayatullahs Khamenei, Makarem-Shirazi, Fadhlullah, Misbah Yazdi, and others all have at least something published on other subjects.

Yes sex-change operations are legal in Iran but they are intended for transsexuals not gays.